Virginia Roundup: Kaine Beats Allen

LANHAM, Md. (CBSDC) – Democrat Tim Kaine has defeated Republican George Allen in the battle for a U.S. Senate seat in Virginia. The two former governors were vying Tuesday for the seat that retiring Democratic Sen. Jim Webb vacated.

It was an exhausting – and expensive — Senate race for both candidates. As of Oct. 17, Allen had raised and spent about $12.5 million to Kaine’s $17.4 million. But outside spending totals nearly $53 million, with Allen benefiting from about 60 percent of it.

Voters have approved an amendment to the Virginia Constitution limiting government’s ability to take private property through eminent domain.

The amendment approved Tuesday had been championed by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation. They argued property rights are so fundamental, they should be enshrined in the Constitution.